MILWAUKEE // The Cleveland Cavaliers use a 29-0 first-half run to overcome the Milwaukee Bucks 101-86 for their 12th win in 14 games. Delonte West had 14 of his season-best 21 points during the run as the Central Division leading Cavaliers turned a 17-10 deficit into a 39-17 advantage. "We know how tough we are to beat when Delonte's at a high level," Cleveland's LeBron James said after sparking the win with 14 points and 10 assists. "It was good to see him play well."
West was on fire in the second quarter, scoring the period's first 14 points as the Cavaliers' lead went from 21-17 to 35-17. "He was very aggressive," Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said. "Offensively, he's got an amazing bag of tricks he can go into to put points on the board, whether it's by him or with him getting an assist to a teammate. "It's good to have a guy like that, who can come off the bench and change the game like he did tonight."
Milwaukee, who opened the game with an 11-0 lead, did not score a point for more than 10 minutes during Cleveland's run. Mo Williams (13), JJ Hickson (11) and Shaquille O'Neal (10) also were in double figures for the Cavaliers, who led 52-33 at half-time. "I just love the success of my teammates when they're out there doing that," James said of the big first half run. "We're all about chemistry and we're getting better every day."
Brandon Jennings scored 24 points for Milwaukee, but received little support. Carlos Delfino and Hakim Warrick added 11 each. * Reuters
